VT Fair Has Hurricane Concerns

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(NECN: Jack Thurston, Essex Junction, Vt.) - Despite
a passing storm Thursday, workers climbed high scaffolding to set up
the temporary outdoor stage for Vermont's largest annual celebration:
the Champlain Valley Fair in Essex Junction, Vt. The 10-day event draws
around 300,000 people for rides, food, agricultural exhibits, shopping,
concerts, and more. But the Champlain Valley Fair's opening weekend
could be dealt a huge blow with the threat of high wind and lashing rain
from Irene, a major Atlantic hurricane.

After
the tragedy this month at the Indiana State Fair, where winds toppled a
concert stage killing seven and injuring dozens more, the Champlain
Valley Exposition wants to reassure fairgoers. "You're looking at a very
safe stage," said production manager Kevin Margolin.

Margolin
explained the Champlain Valley Fair's stage is built differently than
the one that fell down in Indiana. Margolin said the Vermont stage is
designed to better sway to withstand higher gusts. It also has a wind
gauge built in for constant monitoring.

Margolin
and Champlain Valley Expo officials stay in touch with first responders
and the National Weather Service to get a sense of potential
emergencies that may force a concert cancellation. "I don't ever think
about how many tickets we have sold," Margolin said. "I just think about
the safety aspect of it. Can we do a show safely? Is it safe for the
artist, is it safe for the audience?"

Lynerd
Skynard and the Doobie Brothers are scheduled to take the stage
Saturday. Sunday, the day Hurricane Irene is predicted to impact New
England, Big Time Rush, a Nickelodeon teen pop band, is slated to
appear. As of Thursday evening, the Champlain Valley Fair said it was
too early to talk about cancellations.

"We're
watching for [fairgoers'] safety," said Tom Oddy, the Champlain Valley
Exposition's director of special events. "We will make prudent decisions
when it's time to make those. They will be in advance."

Coincidentally,
the same band scheduled to perform the night of the tragedy in Indiana,
Sugarland, is appearing September 4 at the Champlain Valley Fair. At
that and all the events, no matter the weather, the Fair says safety is
priority number one. "Prevention is the key," Oddy said, explaining that
being prepared in advance of emergencies can help avoid a catastrophe.

For
more information on the Champlain Valley Fair, including whether
concerts may be performed early, moved, or canceled, visit this website:
www.cvfair.com